Ben Laughlin started the 2008-09 season hoping for a few games with the Bulls and ended it with tours to South Africa and the United Arab Emirates with the Australian limited-overs team. A fast-medium bowler, Laughlin was promoted during the side's run of injuries to its quicks and appeared in five ODIs and a Twenty20. He neither starred nor failed, picking up some useful wickets while learning the difference between operating against state and international batsmen. However, he was not chosen for the World Twenty20 squad or given a national contract.

Strong performances on the state scene during his first year on a contract earned the elevation. In his debut FR Cup campaign he featured in all 11 games and collected 23 wickets, a haul highlighted by his 6 for 23 against New South Wales in Cairns, the third-best figures in Australian domestic one-dayers. There was also a vital return of 3 for 25 in the final success as Queensland came from behind to beat Victoria. In three Sheffield Shield games, including the drawn decider, he had less success. The 2009-10 season was difficult after he was struck down by a painful stomach injury that restricted him to six state games.

Laughlin, whose father Trevor played three Tests in the late 1970s, was called on in the final Pura Cup match of the 2007-08 season and earned the wicket of Cameron White in the loss to Victoria. In the previous three years Laughlin was outstanding in the Brisbane grade competition, collecting 126 breakthroughs, including 50 in 2006-07. Stress fractures hampered him earlier in his career, but he overcame the problem and performed strongly for the QAS. Laughlin, a carpenter, relies on an outswinger and changes of pace, attributes that worked well for his former mentor Adam Dale.Cricinfo staff September 2010